Businesses approach Price council regarding crosswalk on west Main

A typical scene, downtown business customers and owners search for parking spaces on Wednesday afternoon along Price Main Street. According to downtown business owner Roy Nikas a proposed Main Street crosswalk could reduce streetside parking downtown by as many as six spaces.

On April 10, business owner and downtown association member James Liin approached the Price City Council regarding the installation of a crosswalk on west Main Street that was approved last August.

According to Liin, the crosswalk would be installed between Fitness World and Price Floral on Main Street.

Liin indicated the consensus of the businesses is that the city proceed with the crosswalk.

During the council meeting, city engineer Gary Sonntag explained that Price officials planned to get started on the installation project as soon as possible.

"It is our belief that the crosswalk will slow traffic down and maybe get individuals to take a second look as some of the products offered downtown and it also makes the area much safer," said Liin.

The majority of downtown businesses favored installing the crosswalk.

However, several businesses raised concerns regarding the project.

"Parking is already crowded as it is downtown and this crosswalk would mean losing an additional four to six parking spaces," stated Price business owner and former city councilmember Roy Nikas.

According to Nikas, installing a crosswalk at the location in question is not a new idea. When the city redid Main Street from Carbon Avenue to the underpass, one crosswalk was eliminated in favor of adding six parking space.

Nikas pointed out that a crosswalk takes up more space than just three or four feet of space.

"You also have to insure that the crosswalk is visible by adding space around it and installing flashing lights either above ground or embedded in the concrete," commented Nikas.

"My problem with the situation is that no one asked for my opinion on the initiative before it was taken to the council and passed in the first place," added Nikas.

Liin indicated that parking added by construction of a downtown insurance complex will more than make up for the spaces lost due to the crosswalk.

All parties agreed that the city needs to examine creating a parking district for the downtown area.

"There are several individuals who abuse the parking situation downtown - they tie up those valuable spots for eight hours at a time," said Nikas.

The parties also advocated the enforcement of a two-hour maximum parking lot along Main Street during business hours.

"I know that not everyone is going to use the crosswalk. But I feel that it really will increase safety and be a valuable business retention tool," concluded Liin.